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Google Webfont Optimizer

By sigurdurg

Performance & Optimization / Caching Solutions

Google Webfont Optimizer Review - In-Depth Analysis

Optimize your website's performance by combining Google Fonts into a single request. Boost your PageSpeed score and improve SEO.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.77/10

User Rating

3.7/5 (based on 15+ reviews)

Active Installations

700+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Most modern websites use Google Fonts to enhance their typography. However, multiple font requests can slow down your site and lower your PageSpeed score.

The Google WebFont Optimizer addresses this issue by combining all Google Fonts requests into a single request. This optimization leads to faster loading times and a better user experience.

Simply install and activate the plugin, and it will automatically find and optimize your Google Fonts requests. Enjoy a faster website and improved SEO with minimal effort.

Comparing to Alternatives

Google Webfont Optimizer is one of several plugins aimed at optimizing Google Fonts usage on WordPress sites. It competes with a variety of plugins that focus on performance and GDPR compliance by either disabling, replacing, or locally hosting Google Fonts.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effectively speeds up sites by optimizing Google Fonts usage as reported by multiple users.
Compatible with WordPress Multisite installations.
Free to use with no paid version required.
No known security vulnerabilities as per WPScan.
Receives positive feedback for cleaning up font files and improving PageSpeed scores.

Weaknesses

Some users report the plugin does not work as expected or slows down their site.
Does not strip out unused font styles effectively according to some reviews.
Duplicates font styles in requests causing inefficiencies.
Lacks a pro version with advanced features.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a 3.7 out of 5 rating and a significant portion of 5-star reviews, many users find the plugin effective. However, about one-third of the ratings are 1 or 2 stars, indicating mixed experiences.

Positive highlights

"Great work. I am running a WordPress MU, and it perfectly fast my site." – alexlii
"PageSpeed is green!" – silkway
"Works very well" – José
"Worked a charm for me, cleaned up all off my font files exactly as needed!" – joereadpk

Common complaints

Plugin does not work as intended for some users.
Made website slower instead of faster.
Fails to strip out unused font styles.
Duplicates font styles multiple times in requests.

Weaknesses

Inconsistent performance across different sites.
Limited optimization capabilities compared to some alternatives.
No updates or recent security reviews since 2015.
Lack of advanced features due to absence of a pro version.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users looking for a free, straightforward plugin to optimize Google Fonts on WordPress sites, especially those running multisite installations, and who prefer a simple solution without advanced features.

Not ideal for

Users needing guaranteed performance improvements, advanced font optimization features, or those who require active support and frequent updates. Also, those who experienced issues with this plugin should consider alternatives.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers basic Google Fonts optimization, including cleaning up font files and improving site speed without any cost.

Final Verdict

Google Webfont Optimizer is a free plugin that can effectively improve site speed by optimizing Google Fonts, as evidenced by many positive user reviews. It is particularly suitable for users seeking a simple, no-cost solution without the need for advanced features or paid upgrades.

However, the plugin has mixed reviews with some users reporting it does not work or even slows down their sites. It lacks recent updates and a pro version, which may limit its appeal compared to alternatives offering more robust features and active maintenance. Users should weigh these factors when choosing this plugin.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Google Webfont Optimizer plugin.

Google Fonts optimization

website performance

PageSpeed score

Screenshots

FAQ

Unzip and upload google-webfont-optimizer to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory
Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
(Optional) Configure the plugin through Settings->GWFO settings